ScottishPower has announced the nationwide launch of its ‘Returner’ employment programme, offering an exciting opportunity for people who have taken a career break to rejoin the STEM sector through a flexible, year-long paid placement.  

The programme offers a structured pathway for candidates to refresh their industry knowledge and rebuild confidence in their existing skills in a dynamic working environment, as part of ScottishPower’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

From marketing to renewable energy, the Returner Programme showcases the diverse array of career prospects at ScottishPower and with 50% of previous returners going on to secure permanent positions within the organisation, addresses the UK’s pressing STEM skills shortage head-on. 

Recent findings from the STEM Returners Index 2023 have highlighted numerous obstacles faced by people seeking to return to the STEM industry post-career breaks, including age and ethnicity biases. These challenges in recruitment have led to a situation where 30% of returning professionals in the industry are wrestling with reduced self-confidence. 

Addressing the challenge of self-confidence specifically, the flexible and paid placement offers successful candidates the opportunity to contribute to ScottishPower’s most high-profile projects. Matched with roles tailored to their skills and aspirations, participants will engage in specialised workshops designed to rebuild their confidence and benefit from expert mentoring and guidance provided by a dedicated Returner Programme manager, setting them on a path to sustainable long-term employability. 

The programme follows ScottishPower’s biggest ever recruitment drive, which created 1,000 green jobs as part of the company’s record £10 billion investment into green infrastructure in the UK. These green jobs will place people at the forefront of the transformation of the electricity network in support of the UK’s net zero emission goals. 

Sarah McNulty, Director of HR at ScottishPower said: “We are delighted to re-launch our successful Returners Programme, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. This project aims to empower STEM industry returners and boost their skills and confidence as they reintegrate into the workforce following career breaks.  

“Over time, our Returners Programme has yielded remarkable success stories, with many people not only finding a place within the ScottishPower family but going on to make their mark across STEM industries. We are excited to welcome our next intake of returners and look forward to seeing the incredible impact that our returning talents will continue to make in shaping the future”. 

Ashima Tandon, Implementation Lead at SP Energy Networks Operations: “As part of the Returner Programme, I began working with ScottishPower as the Technical Process Lead in Process and Systems, COE, SP Energy Networks. 

“For a professional like me who has a technical background and previously worked in the IT business for a number of years before taking a hiatus, this programme has been an excellent opportunity. I got the chance to work with a terrific team and received tremendous support from management, leadership, and teammates. After 4 months into the programme, I applied for a new role inside the organisation and was given the option of accepting a permanent position, which I gratefully accepted”.

The Returners Programme is now receiving applications and candidates have until Friday, 1 December 2023, to apply. More information on the criteria and how to apply is available at https://www.careers.iberdrola.com/job-invite/46641/